In addition, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), which represent the presidents and trustees of the nation’s 1,108 community colleges, sent a joint letter to President Donald Trump urging that he maintain the DACA program. The associations called the program “of vital importance” for providing educational pathways to students.

The letter continued, “As open access institutions, community colleges serve students from all walks of life, and that diversity contributes to greater unity in the communities that we serve. It is a core part of our mission to provide opportunity to all students, and DACA helps support that mission.” To read the joint letter from AACC and ACCT, visit theAACC website.

Students who need assistance or have concerns should contact Patty Bylsma at pbylsma@howardcc.edu or visit The Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall (RCF), Room 242.

Immigrant Students
Howard Community College President Kate Hetherington joined more than 600 college and university presidents and chancellors in signing a letter from ACE, the American Council on Education, to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, expressing concerns about the White House executive order issued on January 27, 2017. Dated a few days later, the letter states, “We take seriously the need to safeguard our nation and also the need for the United States to remain the destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest students, faculty, and scholars.”

The letter continues, “Our nation can only maintain its global scientific and economic leadership position if it encourages those talented people to come here to study and work.” It also references the importance of ACE, colleges, and universities collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security to craft policies that protect the nation while, at the same time, welcome students, faculty, and scholars. The letter in its entirety is available for viewing on the ACE website.

For immigrant students seeking assistance, Patty Bylsma and her team can be reached at intlstudent@howardcc.edu or located in The Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall (RCF), Room 242.

LGBT Students
Gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are protected in the college’s non-discrimination policy. The college also recently approved an all-gender facilities policy, which affirms that members of the HCC community may use restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, or similarly purposed facilities consistent with their gender identity or expression.

Students who need assistance should contact the co-chairs of the college SafeZone – Tara Rupp, assistant director of student wellness, at trupp@howardcc.edu or Joy Stephens, assistant director of mental health counseling, jstephens@howardcc.edu.

Pathways to Success
Educating and supporting students continues to be the college's utmost priority. Dr. Hetherington and her leadership team believe an inclusive environment for all students helps provide pathways to success.